LESSON FROM THE FORGIVEN SERVANT
· THE DEBTOR CAN’T ALWAYS REPAY YOU.
In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn't pay… Matthew 18:24-25a NLT
Some scholar’s say billions was the number Jesus was talking of! Similar to the debt of sin, we cannot pay!
Do you know someone who needs to be forgiven? Maybe you have someone who put something about you on FB! You loaned someone a few bucks, maybe a few thousand bucks! Your spouse said something to you that has been stuck with you for months! A child who has been showing you disrespect! You know maybe you’re the one with all this and you just don’t know how or what to say! Sometimes the debtor can not repay!
· THE OFFENDED CAN ALWAYS SHOW MERCY.
Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. Matthew 18:27
We have the ability to show mercy! Often times the person who has offended us doesn't even know they have offended someone! The person you are upset with doesn't even know that you’re upset! If you could find it in your heart to forgive them they wouldn’t even know anything about it! It’s between you and God!
CONSEQUENCES FOR UNFORGIVENESS
Further in this story we find that the man who was forgiven comes out to find someone who owed him like thousands of dollars and he starts choking the guy and sends him to prison for not being able to pay! So he is called back in by the king and this is what the king says now.
`You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart. Matthew 18:32-35 NLT
Un-forgiveness locks you up in a prison! It doesn't just lock you up, it tortures you! Do you know where you will be without forgiveness? Hell!
I was recently asked "Well what if the thing they did is really, really big?"
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE OFFENSE SEEMS TOO BIG?
Molested, abused, spouse cheated, drunk driver hit a family member, someone said you were worthless and would never amount to anything! It’s not easy; I don’t have a secret formula for you today! I was abused as a child and it’s difficult! I do know, that now that I know Jesus, I know this!
· JESUS’ LOVE IS GREATER THAN ANY OFFENSE.
Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' Matthew 18:33 NLT
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Jesus died on the cross for the very things that we hold against others! No matter what they’ve done!
Jesus' Love is greater than the horrific things that was done to me as a child! This is what I did to find forgiveness in my heart.
Picture them and Pray for their forgiveness! Praying may not change them, but it will change your perception of them! Truly reach into your heart and forgive them! Remember, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15
Maybe you’re the one who did something horrible or even horrific! God’s Grace and Love is greater than any thing you may have done! He wants to forgive you today!
You can be forgiven! Maybe you don’t think so, but He died on the cross so that you could! Just take a few moments to reflect on your offensive act!
"Lord, we pray that you would forgive us for our sins, just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Let Your Holy Spirit come into us and give us guidance to lead us into the right direction. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Now would you say that you are smarter than God? I hope not, if so, then this blog doesn't mean much to you anyway! lol But if you would agree that God is wiser than you, then you must accept that what He thinks of you is who you truly are and He sees you forgiven. Don't let yourself or the enemy lead you to believe that what you think of yourself is greater than what God does!
Forgive and you are Forgiven!
I realize that to be as Jesus would have us to be and my being is to Love and Keep His commandments. That is a hard pill to swallow but I know it has to be done .
ReplyDeleteI try so hard to keep it real , I recognize when the flesh will try to stand , but I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Rock and that is what I stand on.